Cool Stencil Ideas

Flower Power

• Grow a great-looking focal point in any room. Buy a flower stencil at a craft store or cut your own daisy petals from plastic sheeting. Tape the stencil to the wall, stipple, which means dab, petal color and move the stencil to make more. Allow the paint to dry before adding centers with a circular stencil and complementary color. Stencil as many daisies as you wish or create sophisticated wall art by stenciling individual flowers on mirror squares. Hang them in a grid over a buffet or bed.

Make a Mural

• Paint the upper part of your wall sky blue (two-thirds of the way) and the bottom grass green. Tape precut fencepost stencil sections vertically along a wall. Use your stippling brush to apply brown acrylic paint to the post sections, repositioning the stencil as you move from left to right. Vertical strokes of beige, white or cream paint in the center of each post adds depth. Create your own cloud shapes, if you like working freehand, or tape a cloud stencil to the wall and fill with white. Here's an attention-getting tip: Instead of stenciling in horizontal posts, install narrow shelves so your small photos and collectibles are artfully arranged along the fence.

The Great Frame-Up

• Use ornate border stencils to create picture frames. Instead of lining up the border pattern, square it off so the decorative pattern faces out and the straight lines face in. Leave room in the center of the frame for a photo. Work with two colors to give your stenciled frames dimension. For example, put down a layer of brown. Allow to dry. Over-paint with metallic gold. Cut into the gold with a palette knife while still wet so brown swirls and edges peek through. Sandwich photos between layers of glass and backing so, when hung, they appear to be framed.

Word to the Wise

• Browsing through home decorating magazines you see a line of scripture, philosophy, humor or poetry on a soffitt or wall. Sign painters cost a fortune, but your stenciling skills can produce a terrific outcome if you've got patience and supplies. Pick a short, meaningful phrase that fits your lifestyle. Draw a horizontal line across the designated area and tape letters down to form words. Fill each letter with paint to complete your message. One idea: Stencil "Crafts are Cheaper than Therapy" on a wall to pay tribute to your stenciling talent.